By the Numbers

171,271
Total of LEED ACCREDITED PROFESSIONALS recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council, as of September 2011.
LEED APs with specialty – 64,060
LEED APs without specialty – 83,985
LEED Green Associates – 23,226
Total LEED Professionals – 171, 271
Source: USGBC

$200.21
The cost per square foot to build a DAYCARE CENTER in San Francisco in 2011, according to RSMeans.
Source: RSMeans

1.0
The approximate U-FACTOR (Btu/hr-sf-°F) of currently available aluminum frame windows and doorframes. Also the number of AIA/CES DISCOVERY LEARNING UNITS that can be obtained by studying “High- Performance Windows + Doors” and passing the 10-question exam (80% score required). Source: BD+C

72%
The percentage a GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMP can reduce energy consumption when compared to conventional HVAC system, according to the EPA. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy reported that geothermal heat pumps can but HVAC energy demand by 50% and overall energy demand by 35%. Geothermal heat pumps are expected to gain market share as recent government mandates require newly constructed buildings to be zero net energy. Energy-efficient retrofits will also increase market demand for the pumps. Source: EPA

46.9
The September 2011 AIA ARCHITECTURE BILLINGS INDEX, following a score of 51.4 in August 2011. The monthly ABI index scores are based on a score of 50, with scores above 50 indicating an aggregate increase in billings and scores below 50 indicating a decline. In regard to September’s 46.9 score, “It appears the positive conditions seen last month were more of an aberration,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. Source: AIA

420
Buildings taller than 420 feet are now required to include an EXTRA EXIT STAIRWELL OR ELEVATOR that occupants can use for evacuations, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Source: NIST

$886.2
Total put-in-place CONSTRUCTION DOLLARS in billions predicted for 2012, according to the latest FMI forecast, which calls for 2% growth in 2011, and 6% for 2012. In 2012, the construction industry will return a level of construction in current dollars that is comparable to levels recorded in 2003. Source: FMI

83%
The percentage of AIR REDUCTION possible following the installation of an air barrier system in a commercial or industrial building, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The installation of an air barrier can also shrink gas bills by more than 40%, and reduce electrical use by 25%. Source: NIST

$65,000,000
Total funds currently invested in the energy-efficiency financing initiative known as the BILLION DOLLAR GREEN CHALLENGE. The fund aims to get colleges, universities, and other nonprofits to invest $1 billion in self-managed funds to be used to finance energy-efficiency upgrades. Source: BD+C

50,000
Owners of every New York City commercial and residential buildings larger than 50,000 sf will have to post each building’s ENERGY USE ONLINE, starting with commercial buildings in 2012, followed by residential buildings in 2013. Architects and environmentalists believe the measure will prompt owners to invest in cleaner, more sustainable designs. Source: BD+C

6
The number of sides to the Octagon House in Washington D.C., the original home of the AIA. Built between 1978 and 1800, the Octagon House was designed by Dr. William Thornton, the architect of the U.S. Capitol. Adapted to an irregular-shaped lot, the design of the three-story brick house combines a circle, two rectangles, and a triangle, resulting in a six-sided structure. Source: National Park Service
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